Yacht charter Bodrum: Boat rental in the port

Looking for a yacht charter in Bodrum? Bodrum is in the south of the Mediterranean, located on the Turkish Aegean coast, the perfect place for a holiday. Domestic and international tourists flock to the region each year, to admire the city’s beauty, its beaches and vivid blue sea and of course to enjoy a yacht charter in Bodrum. Why not take one of aBoatTime’s gulets or yachts either bareboat or with a skipper and experience this less well-known area of Turkey and a quieter area of the Aegean Sea and Turkish coast.

Bodrum is situated on Turkey’s western coast, near Greece and to the south of Marmaris. Its long coastline features many of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful coves, and underwater caves, with diverse flora and fauna. Bodrum is also an extremely old city with an important cultural heritage, and has a number of ancient ruins, such as the Tomb of Mausolus, built in 353 BC, which is considered one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. The ruins are very interesting and will meet the demands of any history buff! If you wish to travel round Turkey by yacht, Bodrum is an ideal destination.

What to do in Bodrum

In the last few decades, Bodrum has gone from being a traditional fishing village to a fully featured resort city. The city’s scenic beaches and mild average annual temperature of 18ºC have made it one of Turkey’s top yacht charter destinations.

Bodrum peninsula is a paradise for lovers of diving, thanks to the fantastic marine fauna such as anemones and coral formations. One of the best diving locations in the Mediterranean is also located near Bodrum; The Aladdin’s Cave, a 23 metre deep underwater cave located on the neighbouring island of Fethiye, where you can swim surrounded by abundant marine life.

A similar diving site is Rambo Cavern, a 14 metre deep underwater cave, where you can see a huge range of marine life, and observe the curious stalactites and other interesting rock formations. If you also like other water sports such as windsurfing and kitesurfing, there are a number of nearby schools where you can learn via practical classes and get all the equipment you need.

Bodrum is popular for tourists due to its rich cultural heritage. Its prime location in the Mediterranean, between Greece, Eastern Europe, and Northern Asia has caused it to be a frequent stop for the many civilisations that crossed the Mediterranean. Its most famous monument is the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, a Greek tomb dating back to 353 BC, and is considered one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

Another historic location in Bodrum is its castle, built in 1402. It was built by the Byzantines and is situated on a hill overlooking the coast, and was often the first landmark sailors saw when they travelled towards Bodrum’s coast; now you can follow in their footsteps and sail into Bodrum’s harbour on your yacht charter.

Furthermore, if you decide to charter a bareboat or yacht with a skipper, then you have to explore the local area. Take your boat and tour the local Turkish are, Turkey boasts some fascinating and beautiful areas like; Yalikavak, Marmaris and Fethiye. So come sailing in Bodrum, Turkey on board one of our yachts and have a great holiday in one of Europe’s lesser well known destinations!

Beaches

Bodrum’s coast is renowned for its rugged terrain and its scenic coastline, but if you’re more interested in sunbathing, there are long sandy beaches situated near the city centre.

Gumbet

Located 3 kilometres from the centre, it is very popular with the British tourists, many of them choose to spend their day at the beach and when the sun goes down, head to Bodrum. This long sandy beach is full of hotels that attract many young water sports enthusiasts, with its great windsurfing and diving schools.

Bitez

7 kilometres away from Bodrum, it is well cared for, at the beginning of each season new sand is added to make it more attractive to tourists. The added sand is fine grained and dark in color, which makes this beach different from many others. The views here are spectacular and the sunsets are a must see.

Gastronomy

Bodrum’s cuisine is the product of the blending of cultures, the main ingredients being Mediterranean fruits and vegetables, such as aubergines, tomatoes and courgettes, along with creamy cheese, yoghurt and sweet sauces, typical of Arabic cuisine. One of Bodrum’s specialities is Meze, a collection of aperitifs served before the meal. A typical drink is Ouzo, a strong Greek spirit which is taken with the main course.

On your yacht charter in Bodrum, you’ll be able to enjoy the city’s fantastic nightlife. Bodrum’s natives are sure that their bars offer more evening entertainment than anywhere else in Turkey. Bodrum’s bars and clubs play the latest music and often feature superb live performances of the “zurna”, a type of flute, and “saz”, a type of guitar, and the parties can often last into the early hours of the morning.

In the small seafront cafés you could spend hours admiring the impressive panoramic views of the sea. These locations are perfect for capping off an exciting evening, after a day aboard your chartered yacht.

Sailing from Bodrum

From Bodrum you can visit the nearby Greek city of Rhodes, or go sailing along Turkey’s western coast to cities such as Didim and Kuşadası in the north and Marmaris in the south. If you’re looking for an authentic Turkish sailing experience, why not charter one of our classic Turkish gulets, and be immersed in Turkey’s culture?

Sailing SeasonBodrum presents a warm climate, allowing for agreeable sailing conditions from April until October. Its mediterranean climate also permits sailing into the autumn and in the spring. The latter is more recommended for those who wish to enjoy a sailing holiday without the summer crowds or prices.

TemperatureThe average annual temperature ranges from 25ºC to 29ºC. Although the summers are hot and the temperatures can reach 40ºC, when the breeze blws you can enjoy your sailing holiday at a pleasant 25ºC. The best months for sailing ans enjoying the sun are April and May. Also, Bodrum offers long, sunny days, perfect for making the most of your sailing holiday.

Water TemperatureThe water temperature in Bodrum is warm, in summer it varies between 21ºC and 25ºC and in winter experiences comfortable but cold levels.

Prevailing WindsDuring the summer months, the prevailing winds in Bodrum blow from the north west, with a speed of between 11 and 16 knots. During the spring and autumn the winds change direction towards the west, bringing much fresher air.

TidesThere are no significant tides in the Aegean Sea, such that sailors only need take care on particularly windy days.

AMooringsAs in other regions of Turkey, Bodrum has a well equipped port with all necessary conveniences. The Palmarina Yalikavak port has capacity for 550 boat moorings and excellent access to the region. Sailors can also choose from many bays during their trip as a mooring.

A very popular destination from June to September, Bodrum enjoys a very hot and very dry summer. Temperatures average daily at around 25ºC to 29ºC and can be known to regularly hit the high 30s and potentially 40ºC. Although this may seem hot, the Meltemi prevailing winds as well as sea temperatures of 25ºC provide much welcomed relief. These warm sea temperatures carry through as far as early November and the temperatures will still peak at 21ºC as late as this. April and May also have lovely air temperatures, averaging 21ºC however the sea temperatures aren't quite as agreeable as later in the year. In all, the mid season could be a great time to see Turkey on a yacht charter holiday in Bodrum.

A number of travel options help you get the most relaxing start to your yacht charter holiday in Bodrum.

By plane: The local airport of Bodrum, also known as Bodrum-Milas, is located 35 km from the city center. There are two other airports, Izmir and Dalaman, located a 3 hour drive away from Bodrum. The shuttle bus service from the airport to Bodrum city centre is operated by Havas.

By bus: Getting to Bodrum by coach from another country is a complicated task, but there are many intercity bus companies that provide connections to Bodrum from other Turkish cities, including Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.

By boat: Bodrum can be reached by ferry and by hydrofoil from the Greek islands of Kos and Rhodes. Daily service is available in the summer season from April to October, allowing you to combine a day trip to these islands with your yacht charter in Bodrum. Many Mediterranean cruise ships include Bodrum as a port-of-call between their main stops.

By car: Arriving in Turkey by car, the main road access to Bodrum is via the D-330.